Driver Charged In Wrong-Way DWI Crash

By LIZ GOFF

A drunken motorist driving the wrong way on the Long Island Expressway (LIE) survived a head-on crash with a city Department of Sanitation truck on July 11, police said.

Cops said Salvatore Morales, 34, was behind the wheel of his blue Mercedes at about 2:40 a.m. on July 11, driving east in the westbound lane of the LIE when he slammed into the Sanitation truck near Greenpoint Avenue in Long Island City.

Morales and a 20-year-old female passenger were rescued from the twisted wreck and taken to Elmhurst Hospital Center with non-life threatening injuries. Both remain listed in critical but stable condition, authorities said.

A Sanitation worker was also taken to Elmhurst Hospital Center for treatment of a minor arm injury he suffered in the crash.

Law enforcement sources said Morales blew a stunning .224 on a Breathalyzer, showing he had nearly three times the legal amount of alcohol in his system at the time of the crash.

Morales was charged with aggravated DWI and is facing loss or suspension of his Driver’s License, points off his license, a hefty fine and possible jail time, if convicted, law enforcement sources said.